Napkin-ring and menu-holder



(No Model.) I

F. RATGLIPP.

NAPKIN RING AND MENU HOLDER. No. 279,805. Patented June 19,1883.

V 4 a? z W UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK RATOLIFF, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

NAPKlN-RING AND MENU-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,805, dated June 19,1883. Application filed February 26, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK RATOLIFF, ofNew Bedford, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented certain new 5 and useful Improvements in Napkin-Ring andMenu-Holder; and I do hereby declare the 'following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to a combined napkinring and menu-holder, and itconsists in the combination of a napkin-ring with a suitable holder,either in the shape of an easel or any other form that may be preferred,and upon which the menu will be placed, as will be more fully describedhereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide a support upon which the menucan be placed, so that persons while dining can have it in a convenientposition before them, instead of having to take it up at each course.

The accompanying drawing represents a perspective of my invention.

A represents a napkin-ring of any desired shape or design that may bepreferred, and B is the menu-holder, preferably made in the shape of aneasel. These two parts will be secured together so as to formpractically one, and the napkin-ring will then come between the lowerends of the easel and its support D, or form part of support. An easelis here 5 shown, as it is most preferable; but I do not limit myself tothis exact shape, for a great many other forms and figures may besubstituted for it at will. The menu, being placed upon the easel, willbe held in a convenient position in front of the diner, so that it canbe ready without the person having to stop eating to pick it up.

Attachel either to the ring or to the rear support 0 the easel is a vaseor flower-holder, O, of any desired shape, size, or ornamentation thatmay be preferred, and which forms a part of the easel. Thisbouquet-holder may be made removable from the other two parts while theyare being cleaned. The three parts together, with the flower-vaseprojecting above the easel, make a beautiful table ornament.

If desired, the ring may be dispensed with, and the easel and theflower-vase used alone.

Having thus described my invention, I claim l. The combination of anapkin-ring with a menu-holder, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of a menu-holder with a flower-vase, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination ofa napkin-ring, amenuholder, and a flower-vase,substantially as set forth.

4. A stand or support formed of an artists easel, in combination with anapkin ring or holder, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK RATCLIFF.

Witnesses:

LILLIE SHIRLEY, HENRY SHIRLEY.

